Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky ~ Reviewed

  

 Shine Like the Dawn

Carrie Turansky

Cover Copy:

In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother’s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible event shattered  their idyllic family life and their future prospects. Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart as she begins to wonder if what happened that day on the lake…might not have been an accident.

When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie’s estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel, returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father’s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father’s engineering company and the duty of repaying an old debt to the Lounsbury family. But years of separation between Nate and Maggie have taken a toll, and Maggie struggles to trust her old friend.

Can Maggie let go of the resentment that keeps her from forgiving Nate—and reconciling with God? Will the search for the truth about her parents’ death draw the two friends closer or leave them both with broken hearts?

Review: 


Shine Like the Sky takes place in the northern Edwardian England, and focuses on a young woman named Margaret Lounsbury. Having lost her parents and sister in a tragic accident four years earlier, she now resides with her grandmother and five year old sister in her grandmother's millinary shop. She holds onto a lot of anger and bitterness, not only at the loss of her family, but at the loss and what she saw as abandonment from the family who employed her father, especially young Nathaniel Harcourt. Nathaniel, however, was not notified by his family of the accident until a week after it happened and was kept from young Margaret. Now, they have been brought back together, and other facts about the accident have come to light which could cause further division between the old friends.

This was a great story. Nathaniel has come to know the Lord during his time away, which helps him in dealing with the difficult situations he is encountering. Meanwhile, Maggie has to learn to let go of her anger and put her trust in the Lord for all things. This was a great read.  by Sarah Meyers

Disclaimer: This reviewer was provided a copy of this novel for the purposes of reviewing. This in no way guaranteed a positive review. These are the honest thoughts and review of the reviewer. In addition, clicking and buying on the link will result in a small monetary gain for this blog through Amazon.

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander ~ Reviewed

To Wager Her Heart

By Tamera Alexander

Publisher by Zondervan

ISBN#978-0310-291084

372 Pages

ABOUT BOOK: Set against the real history of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation and the original Fisk University Jubilee Singers ensemble, To Wager Her Heart is a powerful love story about seeking justice and restoring honor at a time in American history when both were tenuous and hard-won. 

    

Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father's name. One man holds the key to Sy's success--General William Giles Harding of Nashville's Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. 

REVEW: The author pens a rich historical tale that gives readers a peek into the complex in a post-Civil War America Southern society where they meet Alexandra Jamison, daughter of a wealthy attorney who is part of Nashville’s elite upper-class social order. Her father demands she gets married soon. It’s been a year since the death of her fiancé David, it was time to move on. Her father’s demands shake her to the core and move her into action. Alexandra is ready to risk everything in order to make her dream a reality. She heads to Fisk University; which is the first Freedmen’s University. There was more to life than marrying for money’s sake; David has shown her that.

Sylas Rutledge leaves Colorado to end up near Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation. He’s on a mission …

To Continue Reading Nora’s Review Click Link http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2017/08/to-wager-her-heart-reviewed.html

When Love Arrives by Johnnie Alexander ~ Reviewed

WHEN LOVE ARRIVES
Johnnie Alexander
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (September 20, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800726413

Description:

An Unlikely Couple Struggles to Reconcile the Burdens of Their Past
Dani Prescott came to the children's hospital to spy on Brett Somers--so how did she end up on a date with him? Weeks earlier she'd seen an interview in which he blamed her mother for the plane crash that had killed his parents. But the crash had killed her mother as well, so Dani can't believe the story Brett's trying to sell to the media.

Vowing to find a way to discredit the privileged--and maddeningly handsome--Brett, Dani has been following him and taking photos, hoping to find something she can use against him. But when she catches his eye instead, she quickly finds herself offering up a fake name and agreeing to a date. Brett knows this mystery girl is hiding something--but he's got his own secrets to keep. What will happen when he discovers who she really is? Will Dani and Brett look beyond their own heartaches to discover a love that could heal their deepest pain?

Fresh, flirty, and fast-paced, When Love Arrives is an engaging story that will have readers falling in love with the characters as they navigate the tricky waters between romance and revenge.

Review:

When Love Arrives is book number two in the Misty Willow Series. We learned about Brett Somers in Where She Belongs, and the story continues in this book. At the end of the last book, Brett discovers he has a young son who was in a terrible accident, and it is questionable as to whether he will live. Brett's life has taken quite a turn. He's gone from being a selfish womanizer, to a person who realizes he isn't the only one that exists! In the mean time, a young woman named Dani, has sought him out, initially to hurt him for things he said about her mother. But a chance meeting between Brett and Dani takes a turn for the unexpected, and tensions build for Dani as she begins to develop feelings for Brett.

I was really excited to get his book to see how Brett's character developed. He was a bit annoying in the first book, but became more likable as it went on. You can really see the change in him in this book. Dani's was a great character as well. She was originally out for some sort of vengeance, but was able to allow her feelings to change her attitude. This was a great follow up to the first book. Can't wait for the next one.

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Rescue Me by Susan May Warren ~ Reviewed

Rescue Me
by Susan May Warren
Series: Montana Rescue (Book 2)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell (January 31, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800727444

Description: 

When Deputy Sam Brooks commits to something, nothing can sway him--not just on the job as liaison between the Mercy Falls sheriff's department and PEAK Rescue, but in his private life. He's the one who stuck around to take care of his mother after his father's accidental death. And he's the one--perhaps the only one--who believes Sierra Rose is the perfect girl for him. Safe, practical, and organized, she's nothing like her hippie, impulsive, bleeding heart sister, Willow.

Willow, however, has been in love with Sam Brooks for as long as she can remember. But she wants her sister to have a happy ending. Besides, Willow has other things to focus on--namely, nabbing the job as youth pastor for her small-town church. Best thing for her to do is to purge Sam from her heart.

Neither can predict the events that will bring them together in a fight for their lives in the forbidding wilderness of Glacier National Park. Stranded, injured, and with the winter weather closing in, Sam and Willow will have to work together to save a crew of terrified teenagers. As they fight to survive, they might just discover a new hope for love.

Review: 

Reconnecting with the PEAK team and learning more about the way they work and live together in their small community felt like coming home to my home away from home (I love the Pacific Northwest and majestic Glacier National Park is on my bucket list!) The unpredictable forces of nature and untamed wilderness keep throwing the team for a loop. I have a feeling this entire series is going to end up on my all-time favorites list!

Keep reading the review here: http://www.faithfullybookish.com/review/rescue-me-by-susan-may-warren/

Reviewed by: Beth Erin

The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser ~ Reviewed

Nora St. Laurent shares her review of: The Long Highway Home 

Back Cover: Sometimes going home means leaving everything you have ever known.

When the doctor pronounces ‘incurable cancer’ and gives Bobbie Blake one year to live, she agrees to accompany her niece, Tracie, on a trip back to Austria, back to The Oasis, a ministry center for refugees that Bobbie helped start twenty years earlier.  Back to where there are so many memories of love and loss…

Bobbie and Tracie are moved by the plight of the refugees and in particular, the story of the Iranian Hamid, whose young daughter was caught with a New Testament in her possession in Iran, causing Hamid to flee along The Refugee Highway and putting the whole family in danger. Can a network of helpers bring the family to safety in time?  And at what cost?

Filled with action, danger, heartache, and romance, The Long Highway Home is a hymn to freedom in life’s darkest moments.

Review Highlight: 

This novel is absolutely riveting. It’s a beautiful inspiring story of healing, faith and how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It made me look at the world with fresh eyes as things around us quickly change;...

Click to continue to read the review.  THE LONG HIGHWAY HOME by ELIZABETH MUSSER REVIEWED

THE LONG HIGHWAY HOME by ELIZABETH MUSSER REVIEWED Long Highway Home By Elizabeth Musser Published by Create Space ISBN# 978-1542362726 408 Pages Back ...

An Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter ~ Reviewed

An Uncommon Courtship (Hawthorne House)
by Kristi Ann Hunter
Series: Hawthorne House
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 3, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764218263

Description: 

"Engaging Regency romance to sweep you away."--USA Today Happy Ever After Blog
Life for Lady Adelaide Bell was easier if she hid in her older sister's shadow--which worked until her sister got married. Even with thepressure of her socially ambitious mother, the last thing she expected was a marriage of convenience to save her previously spotless reputation.

Lord Trent Hawthorne couldn't be happier that he is not the duke in the family. He's free to manage his small estate and take his time discovering the life he wants to lead, which includes grand plans of wooing and falling in love with the woman of his choice. When he finds himself honor bound to marry a woman he doesn't know, his dream of a marriage like his parents' seems lost forever. 

Already starting their marriage on shaky ground, can Adelaide and Trent's relationship survive the pressures of London society?

Review: 

An Uncommon Courtship follows Lord Trent Hawthorne. He is definitely happy not to be the eldest son in the family, as he in no way wants to be a duke, however, he is still having trouble finding out where he fits in society and what he should be doing. When he finds himself forced into a marriage with Lady Adelaide Bell, a woman he hardly knows, he tries to find the positive in the situation, knowing the Lord is in control, yet he can't help wishing the circumstances were different. Adelaide, on the other hand, is caught off guard just as much as him. Being the second daughter, and always overlooked, she has no idea how to be a wife and take care of a home, especially to someone she barely knows.

I love the books in this series, and this one is no exception. I love both Trent and Adelaide's characters. They are forced into a difficult situation, and while they have ups and downs, they are also open to letting the Lord work in their marriage so that, hopefully, love will grow. I highly recommend this book!

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

Long Time Gone by Mary Connealy ~ Reviewed

Long Time Gone

Mary Connealy

• Series:The Cimarron Legacy Book 2 
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 28, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076421182X

Description: 

Connealy Combines Western Action and Charming Historical Romance
The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn't help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.

With her and the doc's timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It's clear now that everything that's occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?

Review: 

Y’all are going to enjoy the ride as the entire Boden clan works together to uncover the truth behind the attacks against their family and their ranch… before it’s too late. Full of fun and excitement, this series is a must read!!!

Continue reading the review here.

http://www.faithfullybookish.com/review/long-time-gone-by-mary-connealy/

Review by: Beth Erin 

Dawn Ford's Knee High Lies ~ Reviewed

Knee High Lies

Dawn Ford

ebook: 289 pages

Publisher: Splickety Publishing Group

Language: English

• ASIN: B072TMXH5X

Back cover text:

What happens when the lies you tell grow so high you can’t see the truth?

To the outside world Avery Denton’s life looks happy, normal even. But it isn’t. Not even close. She believes nothing can make it worse. When her mother skips town with their banker, the small-town gossips focus on her. 

Jaxson Stewart, Avery’s neighbor and friend, has had a crush on her for years. She makes his heart race, which is dangerous for a boy with a heart condition. Unlike their community, he refuses to hold her mother’s actions against her.

Avery’s summer heats up when Jaxson kisses her under a star lit sky. The rest of her life boils over, though, when Avery becomes the target of revenge, her alcoholic father’s anger escalates, and long-hidden family secrets come to light. 

Can Avery find strength in the truth? Or will she continue to struggle through knee-high lies? 

Review:

This book tugged on my heartstrings big-time. Dawn’s dynamic and authentic characters and deep storyline caused me to feel every emotion, sometimes in rapid succession. I laughed, I cried, I got more than a little angry—a few times. Though this novel was written for young adults, the story will draw all readers in. And I believe, in reading about Avery, a teenager living in chaos in a town filled with judgment and, seemingly, perfect families, readers can catch a glimpse into what life may be like for the hurting teens among us.

I loved Avery. I felt for her. She was timid, insecure, and yet incredibly strong. She weathered what would cause many to break. There were times when her situation seemed hopeless, but I loved how Dawn brought it all back around. The ending was perfect, the romance interwoven in the story adorable and sweet, and the message of grace and healing and inner strength came through clear.

In other words, I loved this book and am certain you will to. I can’t wait to read more from this gifted, slightly gritty, utterly authentic writer.   

Reviewed by: Jennifer Slattery

Butterflies on Breezes by Valerie Comer ~ Reviewed

Butterflies on Breezes 

by Valerie Comer

• Series: Urban Farm Fresh Romance
• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: GreenWords Media (September 28, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1988068150

Description: 

From a USA Today bestselling author!

Like a butterfly on a summer breeze, Love rarely lands where it’s expected. Working for her dad’s landscaping business stifles Linnea Ranta. When she’s invited to design and build a community garden with an intriguing master carpenter, she seizes the chance to unfurl her wings, but at what expense to her heart? 

Logan Dermott eases back his flirting when he senses Linnea’s fragility, but she has more backbone than he suspected. As they work together, Logan finds he’s falling for her, but it may be too late to win her love. 

Will Linnea break free of her chrysalis and fly away before Logan realizes what he almost had?

Review: 

I adore this fictional small town community within the big city of Spokane! United by proximity, a new community center, and a cozy-sized church, this neighborhood is graced with the intimate charm of a matchmaking grandma figure and nonstop 3-on-3 basketball. Keep reading Beth Erin's review http://www.faithfullybookish.com/review/butterflies-on-breezes-by-valerie-comer/ 

The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher ~ Reviewed

THE IMPOSTER 
Suzanne Woods Fisher

• Series: The Bishop's Family (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Revell (October 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800723201

Description: 

Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy
for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check. 

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher introduces her loyal fans to a brand-new series set in their favorite town--Stoney Ridge. As always, Fisher delivers endearing characters and plot twists that keep readers turning page after page after page.

Review:
Imposter is about a young Amish Woman named Katrina Stolzfus. Her life was going on just as planned, until her mother was killed in a buggy accident, and her boyfriend, John, suddenly broke up with her because he was engaged to someone else. When a local widow trying to start a Moss farm is in need of help, Katrina agrees, thinking it might give her something different to do to get her mind off of all that has happened. In the meantime, her father, a minister in town, is fighting his own battles against other ministers who are taking it into their own hands to make changes that may not be good for the community. Yet when David tries to stand up to them, he is threatened in a subtle way.

I really enjoyed this book. There was one turn of events that took me completely by surprise, and I can' t figure out if it was because I wasn't paying attention or the author did a great job of catching me off guard! Either way, I thought the story was well written. I especially liked David's character. He was always doing his best to trust in the Lord, and to be in the Word, learning more about the Lord. What a great example to his children and the community.

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers

The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green ~ Reviewed

The Mark of the King 

by Jocelyn Green

• File Size: 5019 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 3, 2017)
• Publication Date: January 3, 2017
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01M3P77NG

Back Cover: 

Life in This New World Requires More Strength Than She Ever Imagined
After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption. Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana. The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict. 

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects. The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin. When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit? 

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace--and love--can overcome the stigma of the king's mark upon her shoulder.

Review: 

Readers, prepare to be completely captivated by this story… WOW!!! The rich cultures and customs from France to the dismal conditions across the sea in Louisiana are fascinating. However, it was the challenging experiences of the characters within this book are what kept me turning page after page long into the night and early morning!

Read the rest of the review (and author Q&A) HERE

Reviewed by: Beth Erin 

Ben-Hur by Carol Wallace ~ Reviewe

Editor Note: I get so many books, far more than I can read and review, or pass on to others to read and review for me. So every once in awhile, I borrow great reviews on great books. Today Nora St Laurent shares her review link with us. 

Ben Hur by Carol Wallace

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Mti edition (July 19, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496411064

Book Description: 

As one of the bestselling stories of all time, Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ has captivated and enthralled millions around the world―both in print and on the big screen. Now Lew’s great-great-granddaughter has taken the old-fashioned prose of this classic novel and breathed new life into it for today’s audience.

Coming to theaters in August 2016 as Ben-Hur, a major motion picture from MGM and Paramount studios, the story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman whose childhood friend Messala betrays him. Accused of trying to murder the new Roman governor in Jerusalem, Judah is sentenced to the galley ships and vows to seek revenge against the Romans and Messala. But a chance encounter with a carpenter from Nazareth sets Judah on a different path.

Rediscover the intrigue, romance, and tragedy in this thrilling adventure.

Also included: the inspiring story-behind-the-story of Lew Wallace―Indiana lawyer, author, and Civil War general.

Review: 

http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2016/07/ben-hur-by-carol-wallace-reviewed.html

Out of the Frying Pan by Michelle Griep and Kelly Klepfer ~ Reviewed

Out of the Frying Pan

Michelle Griep and Kelly Klepfer

Paperback: 276

Publisher: Bling!

Language: English

USBN-10: 1938499131

When the chef of Sunset Paradise Retirement Village ends up dead, life for sisters Fern and Zula Hopkins is whipped into a froth. Their zany attempts to track down the killer land them in hot water with Detective Jared Flynn. Should he be concerned about their safety or the criminal's?

But there are deadly ingredients none of them expect. Drugs. Extortion. International cartels. And worst of all...broken hearts--especially when the Hopkins sisters' niece KC arrives on the scene.

Before the snooping pair gain any headway with the case, it becomes crystal clear that the sisters uncover a mysterious secret that takes life from the frying pan and into the line of fire.

Review:

For whenever you need a literal laugh-out-loud moment …

Out of the Frying Pan by Michelle Griep and Kelly Klepfer is a delightful cozy mystery with a bit of a sweet romance. The characters presented, from zany Zula and her roommate, Focused Fern to the handsome cop and niece caught between them, provide a perfect balance of humor and pragmatism, blending for an intriguing plot line that keeps one guessing on numerous levels.

Zula, the dumpster diving, flower saving sister-in-law/aunt is the Lucy Ricardo of the 21st century. Oh, the messes she gets herself in, from sneaking “stolen,” discarded plastic foliage into rusted old cars to stumbling upon a dead body. It’s no wonder her sister-in-law Fern lives in a perpetual state of exasperation. Zula was by far my favorite character, though Fern made her all the more delightful.

This is a fun story that will make you laugh on even your most melancholy of days, and the mystery was so skillfully presented, it will keep even the most skilled sleuths guessing.

Highly recommended.   

Reviewed by: Jennifer Slattery

Bonus Thoughts from Amazon Reviewers:

"A laugh out loud mystery with quirky, lovable characters who find themselves in all sorts of trouble. The storyline is believable and comes with descriptions of mouth-watering food, which makes for a delicious plot! A cohesive and fast-moving novel." 4-Stars! RT Book Reviews

“Out of the Frying Pan is a delicious cozy mystery! I loved the humor, the villain surprised me, and the main characters, Fern and Zula, are so richly drawn, they step off the pages and lead you on a merry chase. Masterfully written, it has all the elements of a great read: romance, murder, a dog, and humor. Did I mention the humor?” Ane Mulligan

“I loved this book. The authors, Michelle and Kelly, each writings from one of the two main character's viewpoint, developed a story line that was laugh out loud funny and entertaining. There are many minor characters, and together with the two main characters, they keep the pace moving quite fast while being believable. Scenes are well thought out and the setting, in a senior citizens neighborhood, gives a lot of twists and turns. There's murder, intrigue, romance, love, family relationships -- all written in a fun style. I can't wait for the next book in this series.” John Vonhof

“Who knew life in a seniors community could be so wild, suspenseful, and hilarious? Sisters-in-law Fern and Zula Hopkins are opposite in every way except age. How they keep from killing one another is a mystery, but that's not the mystery of this book. Their zany antics to solve the murder of the cook keeps detective Jared Flynn on his toes. Cozy mysteries are my favorite, and this one is good, with a twist ending that caught me by surprise (the best kind).”  Debra Butterfield

“Absolutely loved every word of Out of the Frying Pan! Having read other of Michelle Griep's work, I knew I was in store for a great story and Out of the Frying Pan did not disappoint. Quirky characters, high adventure. Can't ask for much more. I highly recommend this cozy little romance with a side of murder!” Deanne Davis